by Catalina Camia and Martha T. Moore,
USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia and Martha T. Moore,
USA TODAY

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal called on Republicans to "recalibrate the compass of conservatism" as he called for a new party message focused on growth and opportunity.

Jindal, a possible 2016 presidential contender, reprised some of the same themes at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that he's sounded since the party lost the White House and failed to take the Senate majority in the 2012 elections.

He said it is "small and shortsighted" to have a debate entirely about managing the federal government. If that's the only argument "we don't deserve to win," Jindal said at the CPAC meeting held at the Gaylord National Resort in the Washington suburbs.

"We must not become the party of austerity," he said. "We must become the party of growth."

Jindal began his remarks by telling some of the same jokes he delivered at the Gridiron Club's annual dinner last week, which poked fun at himself and President Obama. One example: "What chance does a skinny guy with a dark complexion and a funny name have to get elected president of the United States?"

Since January, Jindal has been at the forefront of an internal party debate about its direction. His comment at the Republican National Committee meeting that the GOP must "stop being the stupid party" is often cited.

Jindal did not repeat that statement Friday, but earlier in the day, he was criticized by Donald Trump. The real estate developer told the CPAC audience that it was a "horrible statement" for Jindal to make, since it could be used by Democrats against Republicans.

As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Jindal has a platform from which he can develop the ties across the country that could help him in a presidential bid. Mitt Romney, Haley Barbour and Rick Perry, all previous RGA chairmen, were able to build national fundraising networks.